tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21348343395364348212015-03-02T09:40:54.493-08:00Fun 2B in FirstGrade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125Fun2bInFirsthttps://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-47148227233929304212015-02-25T08:54:00.002-08:002015-02-25T08:54:18.865-08:00A Big MoveAwhile ago I switched from teaching first grade to teaching K-5. When I changed positions I changed my brand name to "Grade School Giggles" and opened a new Blogger blog. Since then, I have decided to consolidate both blogs and moved to a WordPress site in order to be able to organize my posts and resources better. I am working hard to get things transitioned over and make it a great user friendly resource for everyone. Please come over and join me at <a href="http://www.gradeschoolgiggles.com/" target="_blank">Grade School Giggles</a>.<img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/dvOKClXdq2U" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com0http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-big-move.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-92075377839653921642012-06-23T16:46:00.002-07:002012-06-23T16:46:42.869-07:00Recent Freebies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am missing some of you over at my new blog. So, I thought I would post a reminder that I've moved over to my new blog and I'd really love to see you there.&nbsp;<span style="background-color: white;">The picture below shows some of the recent freebies I've been sharing.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white;">Please come check it out and make my day! Thanks!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gradeschoolgiggles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8UeUIFbv0AQ/T-ZUWZJoLBI/AAAAAAAABY8/hpHz1MAuDsM/s400/Slide1.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gradeschoolgiggles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VDpwcljLWn0/T-ZUanKRjAI/AAAAAAAABZE/_0kljd-Lhr4/s200/Grade+School+Giggles+Button.png" width="198" /></a></div><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/PhkCdnlUxbo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com1http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/06/recent-freebies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-37245368497104205452012-06-10T19:28:00.000-07:002012-06-10T19:28:29.890-07:00Superb Writer's Blogathon<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">I am sharing my love of the written word as a part of the Superb Writers’ Blogathon. In partnership with Grammarly&nbsp;</span><a href="http://grammarly.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;" target="_blank">grammar checker</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">, this post aims to bring helpful hints to aspiring young writers.&nbsp;</span><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGmfm6QraHw/T9VW8oRjn4I/AAAAAAAABD4/_sUH0Im_CnU/s1600/png_Education-031-color.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oGmfm6QraHw/T9VW8oRjn4I/AAAAAAAABD4/_sUH0Im_CnU/s200/png_Education-031-color.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Superb writers write for a purpose. Many of our students love to talk. What they often fail to realize and what we often fail to convey is that writing is all about communication. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve seen students tear up at the thought of writing. Why are these students so overwhelmed by writing? Often it’s because they know good writers write correctly and they are not sure how to spell the words they want to share, where the capitals go, or what punctuation to use. These students get so caught up in writing correctly that they refuse to take risks and fail to share the wonderful ideas they have. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVsXwDcsBxw/T9VW_nEoAYI/AAAAAAAABEA/4SzZKIIKh6c/s1600/png_Education-001-color.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVsXwDcsBxw/T9VW_nEoAYI/AAAAAAAABEA/4SzZKIIKh6c/s200/png_Education-001-color.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s a shame because being a superb writer requires taking risks. I think it is essential to teach students to use the writing process. Drawing or talking about a subject can serve as a great brainstorming activity. Students can then label their drawings or complete a graphic organizer. Next, students need to write a first draft. At this point students should not be worried about their spelling. I tell my young students to circle words they can’t spell or even to draw a small picture and circle it if they need to. I do not want my students stopping to look up words or ask me during their first draft. The goal of this draft is to get their ideas down. Students can’t do that if they have to stop writing whenever they get stuck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After my students get their draft done, we revise it and eventually edit it. I encourage them to read it aloud or get someone to read it to them. Giving students sticky notes to add sentences in the middle can help encourage them to add more details. So can asking them questions about their writing. I like to do a final edit with my students. Since I teach first grade some of my students are able to edit best when I say things like, “find two mistakes in this sentence.” Doing the editing with them (as much as possible) helps scaffold the process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we get to the final draft, I want them to have some fun and take pride in their writing. By this point in the process, I think they’ve earned a little fun. Some students like to type their final copy. Other students like to use special paper or write in ink. “Craftivities” are also very motivating for my students. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, I find my students do their best on work they know will be shared. Many of my students enjoy reading their writing aloud to the class. Others prefer that I read it and respond to them. Most of them love to see their work in the hall or on display in the classroom. Authors write to communicate to an audience and my students love to know that someone is reading the writing too! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/a6DBkOEBOuQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com0http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/06/superb-writers-blogathon.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-91288665553415233462012-06-08T21:11:00.000-07:002012-06-08T21:11:03.309-07:00Dinosaur Unit Is Finally Done!<br /><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQnXr0fyjtU/T9K_K6nEysI/AAAAAAAABDA/qdclY2v_0YE/s1600/Slide5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>&nbsp;</div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">The end of the school year wore me out. In our house May has been filled with anniversaries, birthday parties, recitals, and a preschool graduation. It's been crazy and I haven't had a chance to blog. I've missed it. I've missed interacting with ya'll! Thank goodness it's summer and I can get &nbsp;back to blogging!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I started working on a dinosaur unit way back, but I only just finished it. Yikes! It took me forever. It ended up being over 100 pages.&nbsp;<span style="color: #313131;">It includes a big book for reading aloud, four levels of student readers, a graphic organizer, multiple versions of dinosaur stationary, vocabulary word word cards for a word wall or puzzle, three literacy centers, and four math centers. Multiple worksheets/recording sheets are included as well.</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8gMXqlMSu08/T9K65msNjSI/AAAAAAAABB0/r7NHPjBWHhM/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #313131;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #313131;">The centers focus on contractions,synonyms, inflectional endings, addition, comparing numbers, and place value. Most centers include resources or directions for differentiation. The exceptions are the I Have, Who Has game for synonyms and the Bump game for addition.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #313131;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JyvFNNAASB8/T9K-2dSzR_I/AAAAAAAABCA/kv2R9XFQkKQ/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYpRuSpHrPc/T9K_Du5vosI/AAAAAAAABCo/1-4SzK6ZGYg/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-oqQ_2mmfU/T9K_GKVstAI/AAAAAAAABCw/XxG8vrgbptA/s200/Slide3.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DNorOI6TnXs/T9K_I1x3VVI/AAAAAAAABC4/h4G2Mh_B2r8/s200/Slide4.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQnXr0fyjtU/T9K_K6nEysI/AAAAAAAABDA/qdclY2v_0YE/s200/Slide5.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0kq-EoXfWI/T9K_Nrz2s4I/AAAAAAAABDI/M19A0M8QOTM/s200/Slide6.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_ws-2cc-Pzw/T9K_Puqa-8I/AAAAAAAABDQ/CpvZ0Fre0C0/s200/Slide7.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OH4XZPCtiyk/T9K_SdnwYVI/AAAAAAAABDY/dsnDSh_4FRY/s200/Slide8.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-efpyeXsLPe0/T9K_VEs1UvI/AAAAAAAABDg/-vlXdvCfvvE/s200/Slide9.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKPA2JOOKYQ/T9K-4vtOLLI/AAAAAAAABCI/7f30brzVmzM/s200/Slide10.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TuL5ztpgGWA/T9K-7morQdI/AAAAAAAABCQ/OSvppJlO7-w/s200/Slide11.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bc1nH7C2VE0/T9K--EXKrhI/AAAAAAAABCY/rEC4JcWIvng/s200/Slide12.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Delightful-Dinosaurs-A-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Unit" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nYIVpJOEmw/T9K_AmK47EI/AAAAAAAABCg/mbff64K6EDc/s200/Slide13.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ffb6W7McPnE/T9LCzIjI0cI/AAAAAAAABDs/quSV5TEw8L4/s1600/Signature.png" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #313131;"><br /></span></span><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/FXowqbJZ1Y0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com3http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/06/dinosaur-unit-is-finally-done.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-53596843125571108502012-05-02T17:56:00.001-07:002012-05-03T18:35:13.211-07:00Compare, Contrast, & a Playground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysMM3QaRIF0/T6HM8aJPsiI/AAAAAAAABA4/0cM0GVKbNw4/s1600/IMG_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ysMM3QaRIF0/T6HM8aJPsiI/AAAAAAAABA4/0cM0GVKbNw4/s320/IMG_0336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>&nbsp;Last year I put hula-hoops on my classroom wish list. My co-workers wondered why, but I use them for several different things. They can be used as a way to keep centers from spreading out. The kids can sit on the outside and keep the materials inside. They can be used as bubbles around kiddos that tend to touch their friends at rug time. They work for recess, even when it's inside. However, my favorite way to use them is to create an instant Venn Diagram.<br /><br />I broke out my hula-hoops, had the kids sit around the edge of the rug, and used them to model comparing and contrasting. We used the books Chewy Louie and Harry Hungry! They were perfect for this lesson.<br /><br />Chewy Louie is about a puppy that eats everything from toys to part of the house. Harry Hungry is about a baby with an insatiable appetite. The adults in both books try to stop the destruction. Chewy Louie is teething and outgrows it. Hungry Harry is just very hungry until he falls asleep. The books paired perfectly and made this lesson very obvious for my students. They really got it and I will&nbsp;definitely&nbsp;be pulling these books out again for this same skill next year.<br /><br />On another note, today was big day at my house. We are getting ready for my little one's 5th birthday and today her birthday present arrived. Check out the new playground. She's in love. I <strike>think</strike> know she would move in if I'd let her.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1EWNqgwwg8/T6HNmyr3dxI/AAAAAAAABBQ/lxhRl0h5TGA/s1600/IMG_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k1EWNqgwwg8/T6HNmyr3dxI/AAAAAAAABBQ/lxhRl0h5TGA/s320/IMG_0344.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my post. I love comments. Remember, I am participating in the Teacher Appreciation Jackpot and will be reading your comments to help pick out what product from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fun-2b-In-First" target="_blank">TPT store</a> (normally priced between $3-$8) I will be posting for free for one day only on Sunday May 8th. You can my post about the jackpot <a href="http://www.fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/05/teacher-appreciation-jackpot.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CxJOvDk5D8/T6HXpvKNj4I/AAAAAAAABBc/KMf-HoyMolg/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4CxJOvDk5D8/T6HXpvKNj4I/AAAAAAAABBc/KMf-HoyMolg/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/A_P7e0omIg4" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com2http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/05/compare-contrast-playground.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-546371655094365222012-05-01T19:28:00.001-07:002012-05-05T21:43:19.380-07:00Teacher Appreciation Jackpot<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8TcHj1QInT8/T6CXtKj03hI/AAAAAAAABAk/5DbPcNZ26No/s1600/jackpotK-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8TcHj1QInT8/T6CXtKj03hI/AAAAAAAABAk/5DbPcNZ26No/s1600/jackpotK-2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a mother and teacher I realize how hard teachers work each day. I'm thankful for all of the teachers I work with, my daughter's teachers, and all of the teachers I've gotten to know online. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Let's celebrate the hard work we all put into our classrooms with a party. Like any great party, this ones got gobs of goodies. There might not be cake, but it's got something even better. <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Freebies!</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: lime;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, for today only (May 6th) you can<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> </span>download my <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Sweet Tweet Spring Centers </span>for <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">free. </span>They are normally $5. Just click on the picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweet-Tweet-Spring-Centers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtfmypvb52Q/T6YAeVwoYxI/AAAAAAAABBo/cD8oRWjojAw/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't forget to check out all of the other awesome freebies. With over 130 participants there are a lot of freebies to download, but remember they are &nbsp;free for<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">&nbsp;one day only</span>!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Check out the linky party below. Everyone's <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Budmo Jiggler'; font-size: large;">free</span> product is listed there. Let the party begin!</div><div style="text-align: left;">With so many bloggers participating, the event has been broken down into groups. Here they are. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.amodernteacher.com/2012/05/teacher-appreciation-jackpot.html" style="background-color: white; color: #f86a7e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">PK-2 Products: Teacher Appreciation Jackpot</a><br /><br /><a href="http://corkboardconnections.blogspot.com/2012/05/teacher-appreciation-jackpot.html" style="background-color: white; color: #f86a7e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">3rd-5th Products: Teacher Appreciation Jackpot</a><br /><br /><a href="http://thetutorhouse.blogspot.com/2012/05/teacher-appreciation-jackpot.html" style="background-color: white; color: #f86a7e; font-family: 'Century Gothic', Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">7th-12th Products: Teacher Appreciation Jackpot</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript"> document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=150291&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>'); </script></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/LHfpixE1iw0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com23http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/05/teacher-appreciation-jackpot.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-92100676066991454972012-04-18T15:56:00.001-07:002012-04-19T19:26:08.358-07:00Dinosaur (Place Value) FreebieWe've had testing this week. Yuck! Today was the last day for students in kindergarten, first, and second grades. So, we are done. Yeah! I can get back to my blog.<br />While I don't enjoy testing, it does make me reflect on my teaching and that's&nbsp;always a good thing.&nbsp;Testing&nbsp;makes me&nbsp;think about what areas to review and enrich throughout the last few weeks of school. <br />The kids are <strike>bouncing off the walls</strike> energetic after testing. So, learning needs to be especially engaging to hold their attention. Games are perfect for this time of year. I'm working on making a few for my kiddos. I'll share some of them with you too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOc3NqdjZ6ellCWWM" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdfTEqqb-98/T49CRGN38KI/AAAAAAAAA-0/8pWxWuUU_Fs/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>Here is a free&nbsp;matching activity&nbsp;that reviews place value. It's done in a dinosaur theme.&nbsp;You can set it up as an independent activity or play it like concentration or memory. Students would pick one of each type of card. You can grab the freebie by clicking on any of the pictures. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOc3NqdjZ6ellCWWM" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9JCs-WUnWk/T49CX8lNfaI/AAAAAAAAA_E/XPTHFdoidkw/s200/Slide3.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOc3NqdjZ6ellCWWM" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PO93jOoowKI/T49CUsezj0I/AAAAAAAAA-8/-btOvvGSNxY/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>The graphics I used for this freebie come from <a href="http://www.justsoscrappytoo.com/" target="_blank">Just So Scrappy Too</a> and <a href="http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The 3AM Teacher</a>.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" height="100" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/The%203AM%20Teacher/myblogbutton2.png" width="100" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, I want to be sure you know about the fabulous linky party going on at Little Minds at Work. It's dinosaur themed. You could put together a mini unit just from this linky party full of dinosaur themed stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://littlemindsatwork.blogspot.com/2012/04/dinosaurs-linky-party.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JoERqvFSA5Q/T49BhPW6YbI/AAAAAAAAA-s/1qy830v9T9E/s200/dinocapture1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><center>&nbsp;</center><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/Tv2aYH-c_6E" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com2http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/04/dinosaur-place-value-freebie.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-52548372421762065492012-04-12T18:53:00.003-07:002012-04-12T18:53:56.816-07:00Games & TagSo, today I did something I don't usually do and it caused a stir in my classroom. All, and I do mean all, of my students stopped playing in the middle of recess and started screaming at eachother to look. Why? Well, I snuck on to the jungle gym with them while they were busy playing. I went down the slide, played chase, and climbed right along with them. They were so excited! The rest of the day kids kept walking by me and hugging me as I passed. One kid declared that first grade was more fun than kindergarten. Today we worked hard and we played hard. We even played tag. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ltn84D-uQGI/T4d9bMmDpNI/AAAAAAAAA-c/PuCR5dR9NWY/s1600/Picture2.png" /></div><br />Speaking of tag, I got tagged by Ms. Jessica at <a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/2012/04/tag-youre-it_04.html">A Turn To Learn</a>. Just like any good game this one comes with a set of rules. 1) Post the rules. 2) Answer the 10 questions that the tagger posted for you. 3) Create 10 questions of your own to ask the people that you're about to tag. 4) Tag 10 people and link them with your post (and let them know they've been tagged!)<br /><br />I'll start with the questions I was asked and&nbsp;my answers.<br />1) What was the best thing that happened in your classroom this week?<br /><em>I've got to cheat here and pick two things because I can't pick between hearing my students beg me to let them read to me and seeing my students' joy when I played with them.</em><br />2) When did you first know that you wanted to be a teacher?<br /><em>I wanted to become a teacher when I was a child. Then I went into child psychology and finally I got my head screwed on right and went into teaching. </em><br />3) What is your favorite subject and/or topic to teach?<br /><em>My favorite subjects are writing and science. I love experiments and I love to do projects with writing.</em><br />4) When did you first know that you wanted to be a teacher?<br /><em>I am not sure when I first knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I've wanted to work in a job that let me help children since before I can remember. </em><br />5) What is your favorite teacher program that you use either with your kids or to create things?<br /><em>I love Power Point to make things with and I've used it with my students before too.</em><br />6) What is your favorite book to use as a read aloud?<br /><em>I love to use any book by Mo Williams. They are great fun!</em><br />7) What is your favorite book to read yourself (a teacher book or a book for fun)?<br /><em>I read alot of profession development books, but I don't have a favorite. When I am reading for fun I like to read historical fiction, Harry Potter, or fiction.</em><br />8) What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?<br /><em>Don't wait for someone to show you how. Ask for help when you need it.</em><br />9) How do you balance blogging with teaching and with family?<br /><em>Let me know if you've got this one figured out. Please, tell me the secret. My husband got me a laptop and that has helped alot. I can work on a blog post or product on my laptop while I am waiting for my daughter's activities to end. I also blog while she is watching television or while I wait for her to fall asleep. Mostly, I sneak it in when I can find a few minutes.</em><br />10) If you had won that 640 million dollar mega millions jackpot, would you still teach?<br /><em>I think I would, but I might take some time off while my daughter is little to just be her mommy. I don't think I could stay out of the classroom for long though because I really do love it.</em><br /><br />Now, here are my tags.<br />1) <a href="http://aturntolearn.blogspot.com/2012/04/tag-youre-it_04.html">LMN Tree</a><br />2) <a href="http://teach123-school.blogspot.com/">Teach123</a><br />3) <a href="http://hopkinshoppinblog.blogspot.com/">Hopkins' Hoppin Happenings</a><br />4) <a href="http://mdteachingtales.blogspot.com/">First Grade Teaching Tales</a><br />5) <a href="http://oneteacherstake.blogspot.com/">One Teacher's Take</a><br />6) <a href="http://teaching-with-style.blogspot.com/">Teaching With Style</a><br />7) <a href="http://lessonswithlaughter.blogspot.com/">Lessons With Laughter</a><br />8) <a href="http://theteacherscauldron.blogspot.com/">The Teacher's Cauldrin</a><br />9) <a href="http://www.ericabohrer.blogspot.com/">Erica Bohrer's First Grade</a><br />10) <a href="http://livelovelaughkindergarten.blogspot.com/">Live Love Laugh Everyday In Kindergarten</a><br /><br />Here are my questions for the fabulous bloggers I've tagged.<br />1) What is your one best organizational tip?<br />2) Do you have a favorite lesson or classroom activity?<br />3) How do you manage indoor recess?<br />4) What is your favorite classroom product you've found this year?<br />5) Why do you blog?<br />6)&nbsp;When is your last day this year?<br />7) Do you have any plans for the summer?<br />8) Has your district started Common Core yet? If so, what do you think of it?<br />9) Do you have any pets?<br />10) What is your favorite way to relax after work?<br /><br />Wow! This turned out to be a long post. As always, thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I love followers and I love comments. Please make my day &amp; let me know you stopped by!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwrEP7HKRKk/T4d73WeqIWI/AAAAAAAAA-U/0Ors6GIUuIA/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwrEP7HKRKk/T4d73WeqIWI/AAAAAAAAA-U/0Ors6GIUuIA/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/MBS3G9tXpAA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com2http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/04/games-tag.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-12167360292293141862012-04-11T18:30:00.001-07:002012-04-11T18:30:46.638-07:00Earth Day Freebies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Earth Day is April 22. I am hoping to have some fun with it and I'm starting to plan activities. We are going to start with this word search I made for our morning work. We don't do a lot of word searches, but my students love it when we do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcONzNJZUJhUGtOXzQ" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-WKInBteZo/T4YHtP3Zh7I/AAAAAAAAA6U/cpvnoDzUdCc/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Later, we will probably do a read aloud and plant seeds. I went to the bookstore yesterday to look for a book to that would be good to read. Amazingly, my bookstore had nothing at all that would work. If you have any suggestions for a read aloud please leave a comment. We are also going to do this&nbsp;writing "craftivity" on how each child can help the Earth. I've noticed my students are much more into their writing when we pair it with a "craftivity." They even write neater than usual.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Day-Writing-Craftivity" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6sToOR2w8wc/T4YmSvIXVrI/AAAAAAAAA6k/WKEiD_5g-q4/s320/053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You can grab a copy of the word search and the writing "craftivity" by clicking on the pictures. The download includes complete directions for assembling the "craftivity."<br /><br />In math, we're going to incorporate some graphing with one of the Earth Day themed graphs from my Graphing Through The Month of April unit. You can get the recycling freebie for Earth Day from my unit by clicking <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8eUKkOqLQcOb19IRzZEQW9TSWlxVmJQQm9UbVNfQQ/edit" target="_blank">here</a> or check the whole unit out on TPT by clicking the picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Graphing-Through-The-Month-April" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWgV1aln_Mg/T4YumjCyNGI/AAAAAAAAA70/niBZIQcOnb4/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Day-Writing-Craftivity" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ohJ428Au3DQ/T4Yuq1Az8mI/AAAAAAAAA78/yIKG0WSw28I/s200/Slide46.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Day-Writing-Craftivity" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev_bHaF73is/T4Yura8ekYI/AAAAAAAAA8E/e5_HJ98r7E4/s200/Slide47.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Earth-Day-Writing-Craftivity" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0fysHNhV9cI/T4Yur-oLioI/AAAAAAAAA8M/VuMeUA1dt50/s200/Slide48.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;If you're looking for even more ideas for celebrating Earth Day in your classroom hop on over to the Earth Day Linky Party at Sunny Days in Second Grade.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sunnydaysinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-freebie-linky.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XWokSTLkSZ4/T4YthkWZ94I/AAAAAAAAA7s/2t6D_IyWkdY/s200/Screen+shot+2012-04-07+at+8.36.00+PM.png" width="90" /></a></div>Thanks for stopping by! It would make my day if you would follow my blog or leave a comment. Stop by again soon.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iebZa7tUIXk/T4YH8_uZT4I/AAAAAAAAA6c/EGHrzpaJiwU/s1600/Signature.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/QqVLG-yXyn8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com11http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-freebies.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-44846623737325580572012-04-07T20:12:00.002-07:002012-04-07T20:13:09.174-07:00Linky Party, Graphing, & A FreebieEver wake up on the wrong side of the bed? I must have today, because I'm grouchy. <br />It could be that my daughter found my blush and put it all over her babydoll that was sitting on my couch. Hmm....between that and her oobleck making attempt earlier this week...I may be getting back out the childproof locks. <br /><br />Anyway, I could use an attitude adjustment today. So, when I saw the "What Went Right Today?" linky party going on, I decided to join in and try and get back my good mood. The linky party is going on at <a href="http://confessionsofateachingjunkie.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-went-right-today-linky-party.html" target="_blank">Confessions of a Teaching Junkie</a>. You can check it out <a href="http://confessionsofateachingjunkie.blogspot.com/2012/04/what-went-right-today-linky-party.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOyAUiwOr7w/T4DNFqXyvcI/AAAAAAAAA5k/Xljng3jaLP8/s1600/What+Went+Right.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOyAUiwOr7w/T4DNFqXyvcI/AAAAAAAAA5k/Xljng3jaLP8/s320/What+Went+Right.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My car is finally clean inside and out. That has been on my to-do list for an embarassingly long time and I am so happy it is finally done. I also got an early birthday/aniversary present from my husband. Yeah! Now, I can blog on the go or on the couch!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Graphing-Through-The-Month-April" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nCXjykGc6FQ/T4D9wqgKP-I/AAAAAAAAA5s/LGIHR9yP7I0/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />My final thing that went right today is that I finally got my daily graphing unit finished. It is the first one I've made and it is 97 pages long. So, it took me <strike>forever</strike> all of Spring Break to make. Since, ya'll are awesome and reading my blog, you can grab a freebie from the unit that would work for Earth Day by clicking on the pictures below. Of course, if you want to&nbsp;check out the complete unit&nbsp;at <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Graphing-Through-The-Month-April" target="_blank">TPT</a> that would rock!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1790234870" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aMt5Oi0s0ZU/T4D-DCwSgnI/AAAAAAAAA6E/_AFaWQagba4/s200/Slide48.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Au6Rl5omep0/T4D95ExeFoI/AAAAAAAAA50/6mHLezOAGB0/s1600/Slide46.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1790234870"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Au6Rl5omep0/T4D95ExeFoI/AAAAAAAAA50/6mHLezOAGB0/s200/Slide46.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOb19IRzZEQW9TSWlxVmJQQm9UbVNfQQ" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nn8SmM1uIPA/T4D9-kyS-RI/AAAAAAAAA58/Q8vOQayBEuI/s200/Slide47.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll also email it to the first person to leave a comment with their email address below. As always, thanks for taking the time to read my blog. It makes my day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nax_ukIGHY0/T4D-46jRBiI/AAAAAAAAA6M/q_hhlDRos_o/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nax_ukIGHY0/T4D-46jRBiI/AAAAAAAAA6M/q_hhlDRos_o/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/rBarFpJ5VmY" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com6http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/04/linky-party-graphing-freebie.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-50837189258121305612012-04-03T20:14:00.000-07:002012-04-03T20:14:24.961-07:00A Little of This and ThatHere in Georgia, it is Spring Break! Of course, (me being me and all) I went into school today. Our school is never open on weekends and we don't have keys to the building. So, getting to spend time in my room without the kiddos is awesome. I spent today cleaning and reorganizing the classroom. I still have a bunch to do, but I'll post some pictures when I finish. <br /><br />After&nbsp;cleaning up the classroom, I had to clean my livingroom. My preschooler made obleck at school today. She is a little go-getter who wants to be a science teacher when she grows up. So,&nbsp;she decided to repeat it at home. Only she did it&nbsp;in the middle of the livingroom by herself&nbsp;and used powdered sugar instead of corn starch. What a sticky&nbsp;mess!<br /><br />I also am working on finishing up a new set of graphing activities to use with my students. I'll be posting them on TPT and sharing a freebie here&nbsp;when I finish.&nbsp;They are&nbsp;aligned with the Common Core Standards because&nbsp;I am trying to start preparing myself for the transition. Are you getting ready for the new standards? What do you think of them?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--yRatrJbof8/T3u68x-x-nI/AAAAAAAAA5c/OuDAkTyIO0U/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--yRatrJbof8/T3u68x-x-nI/AAAAAAAAA5c/OuDAkTyIO0U/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/ewLPG70BR3o" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com5http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/04/little-of-this-and-that.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-61945123099203453112012-04-02T05:48:00.004-07:002012-04-02T05:48:56.353-07:00Currently!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is just a short and sweet post for the April linky party. Today is the first day of Spring Break for me and I have a ton to catch up on this morning. Ha ha, I'm excited to have a week off to catch up on everything that's been on the back burner!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niBnceqmD0s/T3md7Lo0fdI/AAAAAAAAA5M/Hq0H1e1ji5U/s640/Presentation3.png" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This post is a part of the linky party going on at Oh, Boy Fourth Grade. Stop by to join the party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i730.photobucket.com/albums/ww307/LeslieFLambert/Blog%20Items%20New/meghanfbutton.png" target="blank" width="100px" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBQRwN35Mdo/T3md7yZYeUI/AAAAAAAAA5U/4fD0Mi5DHDY/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBQRwN35Mdo/T3md7yZYeUI/AAAAAAAAA5U/4fD0Mi5DHDY/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/vW7VGjEL8lI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com1http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/04/currently.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-28534790931074483062012-03-29T18:27:00.002-07:002012-03-31T19:55:46.062-07:00Egg Hunt FreebieYippie! We have one more day before Spring Break. Of course it is going to be a crazy day since we have Friday tests, Career Day, sack lunches, and Spring Snack tomorrow. Yeah it's going to be a jam packed day!<br /><br />I am planning for the possible need for a filler activity tomorrow with this egg hunt around the school. The prize is going to be some bunny graham cookies. The egg hunt ties in a little review of some language arts concepts, but it is definitely nothing heavy. I will cut out and tape these eggs around the school in the morning and then if I need to take the kiddos out of the room while the parent sets up for Spring Snack of if there is a gap in the day, I am all ready to go. The hunt will take us back to our room for our snack. You can grab it as a freebie by clicking on one of the pictures. (The first egg had an error. I've since updated it. Sorry!)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOeEl2cEFXMVlRRGVZZ1E0TURxbmFVZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-puNBRBKPxpY/T3UL45c2PII/AAAAAAAAA4c/UH2P1Uf7M9w/s320/Egg+Hunt.png" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOeEl2cEFXMVlRRGVZZ1E0TURxbmFVZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NS3FRCQ19LQ/T3UGhnXBDGI/AAAAAAAAA38/mAvFZd0vEAQ/s320/Slide2.PNG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOeEl2cEFXMVlRRGVZZ1E0TURxbmFVZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kqSmTf1Fq0I/T3fC3ZTWmwI/AAAAAAAAA5E/ZPXiFBqfb6c/s320/Slide4.PNG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOeEl2cEFXMVlRRGVZZ1E0TURxbmFVZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhrTnMJjTpU/T3WHxQT37xI/AAAAAAAAA40/leFjsePV8cc/s320/Egg+Hunt.png" width="300" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOeEl2cEFXMVlRRGVZZ1E0TURxbmFVZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LjY2hTp-xQs/T3fCyOM6EII/AAAAAAAAA48/z6NtDLXOMJc/s320/Slide5.PNG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOeEl2cEFXMVlRRGVZZ1E0TURxbmFVZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kob4GFNTSRI/T3UG_UUq_3I/AAAAAAAAA4U/0zuPQ0NgBqA/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/whqIYaZQORg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com4http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/egg-hunt-freebie.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-61530852187775454212012-03-27T17:52:00.002-07:002012-03-27T18:11:18.394-07:00Spring Capitalization Game-FreeIt's that time of year when we are super busy trying to fit in review of everything that our students are still struggling, make sure we've covered all the standards, and pushing to get everything mastered.<br /><br />In my classroom, I've noticed my kiddos are struggling with capitalization of words that come in the middle of sentences. They know that a sentence starts with a capital letter, but they struggle with remembering to capitalize proper nouns.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOcWR3elRFR3dTZDZacTZpWGFHX2dRZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtIxhkIKliA/T3JfurIc2CI/AAAAAAAAA10/crt2HorSVOI/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_2025247416"></span><span id="goog_2025247417"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOcWR3elRFR3dTZDZacTZpWGFHX2dRZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QHj8jkr8S-E/T3JfwRRS10I/AAAAAAAAA18/kUcFBbIzu-E/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOcWR3elRFR3dTZDZacTZpWGFHX2dRZw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8qryRSTxgxM/T3JfyWGbLOI/AAAAAAAAA2E/g-ZennIYQrM/s200/Slide3.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOcWR3elRFR3dTZDZacTZpWGFHX2dRZw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NOFp-FqKyc/T3Jfz9pZzRI/AAAAAAAAA2M/DvcsJZfn8M8/s200/Slide4.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">To squeeze in a little bit of practice, I've made a game. Baby bird rescue is a quick partner game to review capitalization. You can get it by clicking on the picture.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you like the freebie, you might want to check out my Sweet Tweet Spring Centers that I've posted on my TPT &amp; TN stores. It's a complete set of six math centers reviewing addition, skip counting by 2s, word problems, number comparison, and fact families.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweet-Tweet-Spring-Centers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1KXezazQnU/T3JjsCIyY_I/AAAAAAAAA3k/xJtGsHrmjZ0/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweet-Tweet-Spring-Centers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vK-J8mxyDyI/T3Jjpkz7UvI/AAAAAAAAA3c/N7dtCWhZabc/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweet-Tweet-Spring-Centers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh-VHLT6UD4/T3JjnPv0dQI/AAAAAAAAA3U/E9HoIrkyvFI/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><br />Finally, I am linking up with Mrs. Lirette's Learning Detectives for her linky party. If you want to get some more great ideas for Spring activities you can hop on over to the linky party by clicking the picture below.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://mrsliretteslearningdetectives.blogspot.com/2012/03/its-spring-thing-im-hosting-my-1st.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="124" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xn1NKOI15QQ/T3Jjyg0SH3I/AAAAAAAAA3s/mGcX5515W1I/s200/Spring+Thing+Linky+Party.png" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hRxbaTD59A/T3JgYbkAg-I/AAAAAAAAA2c/kOtKPseREQ0/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hRxbaTD59A/T3JgYbkAg-I/AAAAAAAAA2c/kOtKPseREQ0/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/KYd8PaTMWI0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com3http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-capitalization-game-free.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-42428723198314931112012-03-20T17:43:00.003-07:002012-03-20T17:43:47.428-07:00A Carrot or Two for the TeacherThe PTA at my school has been really focused on improving the health of our students and staff. Yesterday we had a puppet show on nutrition. It came complete with a cast of dancing, singing, vegetables. The costumed produce stayed through lunch. Apparently, produce is the new in teacher gift. At least, that's what the produce puppets told the kids.&nbsp;<div><br /><div>Today, I got carrots, apples, strawberries, a plum, and a mystery fruit. Yep, I didn't know what it was until I cut it open. Do you recognize it? It turned out to be a very tasty mango. Yum!</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--O6EHqr6AJg/T2kDJ-Fa3SI/AAAAAAAAA0M/3bQ-MBPgzLM/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--O6EHqr6AJg/T2kDJ-Fa3SI/AAAAAAAAA0M/3bQ-MBPgzLM/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8y5rfhA18E/T2kjtRWWnWI/AAAAAAAAA0U/zcLLd8n5RCg/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8y5rfhA18E/T2kjtRWWnWI/AAAAAAAAA0U/zcLLd8n5RCg/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/iQKHtb4oqDA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com4http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/carrot-or-two-for-teacher.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-67834619648974569092012-03-16T18:40:00.000-07:002012-03-29T20:29:33.999-07:00Sweet Tweet Spring Centers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0jFzKc9xQ/T2O3lNxxCEI/AAAAAAAAAzo/ylR-43EeaXM/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0jFzKc9xQ/T2O3lNxxCEI/AAAAAAAAAzo/ylR-43EeaXM/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Like most primary teachers, I'm always looking for ways to keep my centers fresh. So, I created a set of six Spring themed math centers. It covers addition, skip counting by 2s, word problems, fact families, and greater than/less than. Each center comes with a full color and a black and white recording sheet. That way you can either laminate it and use with a dry erase marker or copy it easily. You can preview the entire set &nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOOW5NUEF2WWNTOHF6YjFRWVVMT2h3dw" target="_blank">here</a>. I've just posted my this pack on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweet-Tweet-Spring-Centers" target="_blank">TPT</a> &nbsp;for $5. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WykazDkft8/T2PIssrmYQI/AAAAAAAAAz0/6l6IF18o838/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1WykazDkft8/T2PIssrmYQI/AAAAAAAAAz0/6l6IF18o838/s320/Signature.png" width="200" /></a></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/04-u3luFDGo" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com16http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/sweet-tweet-spring-centers-get-it-free.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-75104306303100145182012-03-13T16:17:00.001-07:002012-03-13T17:24:29.921-07:00Lucky Synonyms & AntonymsToday my kiddos and I reviewed some language arts skills we covered this year. Each student got a little whiteboard, a dry erase marker, and a tissue. You would have thought they had died and gone to heaven from the cheering when they got a right answer. Who would have thought something so simple would make test prep so much fun.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDTvbrQ4-IU/T1_Nmfz108I/AAAAAAAAAxY/0Ca41dCdIMY/s1600/gif_education075.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XDTvbrQ4-IU/T1_Nmfz108I/AAAAAAAAAxY/0Ca41dCdIMY/s200/gif_education075.gif" width="100" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Games are another way I like to sneak in a little test prep. Synonyms and antonyms are skills I want to review with my students. So, I made a little Saint Patrick's Day review game and I am sharing it as a freebie for you. It can be played with partners or small groups. Another skill I want to review is vowel sounds. So, I made a game for that too.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcObDQ4ZXBGZFRUbmlrYjVrOUVKN2UtZw"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8RCxb66COho/T1_RXcsWQlI/AAAAAAAAAxg/Q1AurvQkxHc/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcObDQ4ZXBGZFRUbmlrYjVrOUVKN2UtZw"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVTXV_k-5zA/T1_RaCO8uWI/AAAAAAAAAxo/kX-31iGxxHY/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcObDQ4ZXBGZFRUbmlrYjVrOUVKN2UtZw"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-G5zFVLB0U/T1_Rb_AD1QI/AAAAAAAAAxw/6biA8xInU4w/s200/Slide4.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOV3l1MkpvYmFSci1WenBBTERkYjRmQQ"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Le3OVupZgE/T1_RfQolUiI/AAAAAAAAAx4/a6amlkGtRvs/s200/Slide1.PNG" style="text-align: center;" width="200" /></a><span style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOV3l1MkpvYmFSci1WenBBTERkYjRmQQ"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AadjNzTEnPg/T1_Rheq51uI/AAAAAAAAAyA/8XoovkRFLMw/s200/Slide3.PNG" style="text-align: center;" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOV3l1MkpvYmFSci1WenBBTERkYjRmQQ"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L-gZa3ImGE8/T1_SiPboYQI/AAAAAAAAAyg/wzuK0tMz-g4/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>Just click on the picture of the game(s) you want to grab your copy.&nbsp;Other recent St. Patrick's Day freebies I've posted include&nbsp;<a href="http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/bump-bump-went-leprechaun.html">Bump</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/freebie-4-in-row.html">Four in a Row</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-leprechaun-freebie.html">Lucky Leprechaun</a>.&nbsp;If you enjoy them, please consider leaving a comment of following the blog. Thanks for stopping by!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xXL31Ke2nY/T1_VSh-aPQI/AAAAAAAAAyw/2ekQiFTm2lY/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4xXL31Ke2nY/T1_VSh-aPQI/AAAAAAAAAyw/2ekQiFTm2lY/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you are looking for more Saint Patrick's Day resources, Robin at <a href="http://littleblogfish.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patricks-day-fun-and-linky-party.html">Little Blogfish</a> is having a St. Patrick's Day linky party.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://littleblogfish.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patricks-day-fun-and-linky-party.html"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lw0bm6esXcQ/T1_S_9JcurI/AAAAAAAAAyo/mID1lt42kds/s200/stpatrickslinky.png" width="75" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/cz_jHQijHdg" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com5http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-synonyms-antonyms.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-7240426783647548192012-03-12T19:28:00.002-07:002012-03-13T17:24:41.725-07:00Kinder-2nd Linky PartyDon't you just love it when you find new blogs to read?<br /><br />That's the idea behind the linky party going on over at <a href="http://kindergartenlifestyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/kinder-2nd-linky-party-woot-woot.html">Kindergarten Lifestyle</a>. The goal of this linky party is to help people find blogs in the kindergarten to second grade range that they might not have seen before. Check it out. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kindergartenlifestyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/kinder-2nd-linky-party-woot-woot.html"><img border="0" height="86" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KiIDbensD4/T16wWOdP5CI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/ZuasHQKCXko/s200/k2linky.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">If you found me through the linky party, please take a few minutes and explore my sight. I'm glad you stopped by.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BczjHUreT6o/T16f7fvhtGI/AAAAAAAAAw0/LPiAgdvPVIw/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/SSlmP_GxzNM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com2http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/kinder-2nd-linky-party.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-27875722255349872482012-03-11T09:18:00.000-07:002012-03-11T11:30:24.570-07:00Bump, Bump, Went the Leprechaun<br />I don't know if you know the song Alice the Camel, but it is stuck in my head, especially, the line where everyone used to bump hips at summer camp. Why?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="75" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RgSAkmQDrk4/T1zORebcctI/AAAAAAAAAvs/RGU6F28iYKE/s200/gif_p_CAMEL01.gif" width="100" /></div><br />Well, I've been busy making these cute little freebies. Yep, I made Bump game boards. Bump is a great game for practicing addition facts to 12. Students roll a pair of dice and cover up the sums. They can bump the other player off if they roll a sum that's already been covered. Fun! I love it when learning and fun "bump" into each other. Seriously, that was corny, but I do love it when the kids are having fun while they learn.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOaUcwRmJSZ0tTenVTOVByUER5Y0tQZw"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-If5U1WU_pTY/T1zLdBgjVEI/AAAAAAAAAvc/aeea1rE2dHI/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOV0RWUWtDSFpRdk9GVHQzYzJTZlM5dw"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agysD1jf3ew/T1zLWKDVt-I/AAAAAAAAAvU/hGr2Hzto7pI/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="300" /></a></div><br />Just click on the picture for the version(s) you want. As always, I appreciate comments and I love followers. Let me know if you like these and I'll keep making them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pwg4r5lOH3w/T1zNnd5QkVI/AAAAAAAAAvk/zdrp1inBXBs/s1600/Signature.png" /></div><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/oc59VYfFuqI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com0http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/bump-bump-went-leprechaun.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-72403239786038173092012-03-10T20:40:00.000-08:002012-03-10T20:59:32.118-08:00Freebie - 4 in a RowThis week is the last week before Saint Patrick's Day. How did that happen? Time seems to be flying this &nbsp;year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDU5qwv63hQ/T1wrSNGA7_I/AAAAAAAAAu0/oBiqziPqKMw/s1600/gif_clover_hat_0001.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDU5qwv63hQ/T1wrSNGA7_I/AAAAAAAAAu0/oBiqziPqKMw/s200/gif_clover_hat_0001.gif" width="100" /></a></div><br />Even though Saint Patrick's Day is on a Saturday this year, I am hoping to at least squeeze in some themed activities. So, I made this super simple 4 in a Row game for the students to review addition. Of course, I might not get to it this week since we are furloughed on Thursday and Friday. We also have benchmark testing, several special events, and a half day training. Yep, that's all got to fit into three days!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOdGNSZGREbXhTY3FlQkZLdWR5dnVlQQ"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8sZr137F53I/T1wpWbEgd0I/AAAAAAAAAuE/yjjWLYB83XI/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I made a second version just in case I don't get to use the St. Patrick's Day version this week.The second version is played just the same way, but it is Spring themed. You can get both versions by clicking on the pictures or clicking<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOdGNSZGREbXhTY3FlQkZLdWR5dnVlQQ"> here.</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOdGNSZGREbXhTY3FlQkZLdWR5dnVlQQ"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12UC3-kbBLU/T1wpb8YAhbI/AAAAAAAAAuU/_c4dy86RF00/s200/Slide3.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><br />Oh, there is a really cool event going on at the Lesson Cloud, where I am a&nbsp;contributor. The Lesson Cloud is going green and will be sharing some really cool stuff over the next couple of days. Be sure to stop by and check it out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelessoncloud.com/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VHxswWPehbE/T1wqvXN6_wI/AAAAAAAAAuc/ISiJ3N9By7E/s1600/431618_3063668823853_1027440715_32884629_222604129_n.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_oXWbARe6I/T1wq-QrB5_I/AAAAAAAAAuk/Xde_um7oRqs/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_oXWbARe6I/T1wq-QrB5_I/AAAAAAAAAuk/Xde_um7oRqs/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/wlp5lLX8pKk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com2http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/freebie-4-in-row.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-901212696411451142012-03-06T16:00:00.000-08:002012-03-13T17:25:02.089-07:00Blog Awards<div style="text-align: left;">Wow! I love reading the comments you gals (and guys) leave. I am a bit overwhelmed and definitely flattered.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Karla over at <a href="http://lifeinspecialeducation.blogspot.com/2012/03/such-sweet-surprise.html?showComment=1331001872108#c1433162854530765881" target="_blank">Life in Special Education</a> and Adrianne from <a href="http://kidscogworks.com/" target="_blank">Kids Cog Works</a> awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award. Like most awards, it has a few rules.<span style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iBmoucDrnrA/T1V6g2uIn5I/AAAAAAAAAts/B4-dzFgnlcc/s1600/one-lovely-blog-award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iBmoucDrnrA/T1V6g2uIn5I/AAAAAAAAAts/B4-dzFgnlcc/s1600/one-lovely-blog-award.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: center;">Here they are:</span></div><br /><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">1. &nbsp;Link back to the blogger who gave you the award. Be sure to check out the awesome blogs above.</div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">2. &nbsp;Pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers.&nbsp;I am passing on the One Lovely Blog Award to the following&nbsp;blogs.</div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://www.kinderzoo.net/" target="_blank">Kinderzoo</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://fabulouslyfirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Fabulously First</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://livelovelaughkindergarten.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Live Laugh Love Everyday in Kindergarten</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://shenanigansinsecond.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Second Grade Shenanigans</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://www.lessonplandiva.com/" target="_blank">The Lesson Plan Diva</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://saylorslog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Saylor's Log</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://www.lovetwoteach.com/" target="_blank">Love Two Teach</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://frogsbeesundertheseas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Playing with Pixie Dust</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://the3amteacher.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The 3am Teacher</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://alysiabattista.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss B Busy Bee</a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px;"><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-<a href="http://www.2teachingmommies.com/" target="_blank">2 Teaching Mommies</a></div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://mrskimbrellsclass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Kimbrell's Kindergarten Kids</a></div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://kindergals.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kinder Gals</a></div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://firstgradefanatics.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">First Grade Fanatics</a></div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://lessonplansos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lesson Plan SOS</a></div></div></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">3. &nbsp;Become a follower of the person who sent it to you.</div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMZK2w9Tt3w/T1V7hyxs14I/AAAAAAAAAt0/TwP8jCkocCg/s1600/Leibster+Award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IMZK2w9Tt3w/T1V7hyxs14I/AAAAAAAAAt0/TwP8jCkocCg/s1600/Leibster+Award.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;">Also, Nicole from <a href="http://teaching-with-style.blogspot.com/2012/03/awards.html" target="_blank">Teaching With Style</a> awarded me the Liebster Blog Award. You can check out her awesome blog here. The rules for the Liebster Blog Award are as follows.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">1.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Thank the award presenter and post a link back to their blog.</span></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">2. Put the award on your blog.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">3. Pick 5 blogs with less than 200 followers, let them know about the award, and encourage them to pass it on.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">I am passing on the Liebster Blog Award to the following blogs.</span></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://firstgradeschoolbox.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">First Grade School Box</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://easypeasyclassroom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Easy Peasy Classroom</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://littlestscholars.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Littlest Scholars</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://plantspress.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Plant's Press</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;-<a href="http://makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Making Memories With Your Kids</a></span></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; line-height: 24px; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;">Thank you to Karla, Adrianne, and Nicole for the awards. I hope everyone finds some awesome new blogs to follow and as always thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEXK0SnQYFw/T1V9eySeOHI/AAAAAAAAAt8/KVptR4VC8oM/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bEXK0SnQYFw/T1V9eySeOHI/AAAAAAAAAt8/KVptR4VC8oM/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Unkempt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/J1rVwO__onE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com3http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/blog-awards.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-68882233540158927142012-03-05T14:13:00.000-08:002012-03-13T17:25:23.218-07:00Persuasive Writing with Hey, Little Ant!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1883672546/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fu2binfi-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=1883672546"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL160_&amp;ASIN=1883672546&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=fu2binfi-20&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" width="320" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fu2binfi-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=1883672546" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My absolute favorite book to use for teaching persuasive writing is "Hey, Little Ant." It is the perfect book for teaching persuasive writing. It takes the form of a debate between and ant and a little boy. The boy wants to squish the ant and argues why he should. The ant argues why the boy should let him go. The story ends with the little boy's shoe still up in the air and no decision having been made.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOMkJpYlZuQk5SbFNMREJyTDVHcTNvQQ" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1O9bXg_LE3I/T1Pm-YT3juI/AAAAAAAAAr8/ooeZ8RNevMM/s200/Slide2.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We read the story and then make a t-chart with reasons why the boy should and should not squish the ant. Then, I model ask the class who thinks the boy should squish the ant and who thinks the boy shouldn't squish it. Next, I will model completing a graphic organizer listing my opinion and three reasons. After I have modeled it, the students complete their organizers.&nbsp;Next, I model showing the kids how to write a persuasive paragraph arguing their point of view. Once the kids have written their paragraphs we hang it up with a cute shoe that they colored.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOMkJpYlZuQk5SbFNMREJyTDVHcTNvQQ" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqZ-VEafk5w/T1Pm_sHET4I/AAAAAAAAAsM/lUI-jx4_SMo/s200/Slide4.PNG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOMkJpYlZuQk5SbFNMREJyTDVHcTNvQQ" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IfAHk_50sGE/T1Pm-9v6RiI/AAAAAAAAAsE/ZEtx9ee1VBo/s200/Slide3.PNG" width="200" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;<span style="text-align: center;">Some of the kids thought the boy should squish the ant.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dv0lRibCUEc/T1PVYHDNaLI/AAAAAAAAArc/oeKBaSljaIY/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-RAfqXE1H4/T1PVcUstqaI/AAAAAAAAArk/BS9RX6Raedk/s320/Slide2.PNG" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Other students thought the boy shouldn't squish it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPPmeM1cNWs/T1PVk9JRikI/AAAAAAAAAr0/dFAbgfc6IJc/s320/Slide4.PNG" width="320" /><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Bk4x61IAIE/T1PVg00hwAI/AAAAAAAAArs/a0I_O-gUSmw/s320/Slide3.PNG" width="320" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWxp7l3u1is/T1Po80pnroI/AAAAAAAAAsU/fPEJQIAqlHM/s1600/Signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWxp7l3u1is/T1Po80pnroI/AAAAAAAAAsU/fPEJQIAqlHM/s1600/Signature.png" /></a></div><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/8w4GQ7lCcRs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com11http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/persuasive-writing-with-hey-little-ant.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-81768719384425436262012-03-02T09:00:00.000-08:002012-03-13T17:25:53.167-07:00Making Time for Life<div class="MsoNormal">Shhh! I have a secret. Here’s the thing. I&nbsp;desperately&nbsp;need&nbsp;more time and since I can’t function without sleep I need your ideas. I’ll share some things that are working for me and if you have any tips that have helped you I'd love for you to share them too. What helps you keep on top of all you're&nbsp;responsibilities? How do you save time? Are you able to make time for yourself?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu_05Mdsbho/T1GiarBaFJI/AAAAAAAAAos/JNHWhWXeHKo/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iu_05Mdsbho/T1GiarBaFJI/AAAAAAAAAos/JNHWhWXeHKo/s320/Presentation1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Being organized helps me the most. Of course, it's another area of my life that is a work in progress. The more organized I am, the better balanced my life is.&nbsp;A calendar, a timer, and a desktop organizer are some of my best friends. Really!&nbsp;</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I use Google Calendars to schedule things. I love that I can access it from my iPad or any computer with internet. The really cool feature is that I can keep separate calendars for each member of my family, for my blog, and for my work. Then, I can view them all together or pick which ones I want to see at any given time.&nbsp;Everything is color coded too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeB4hhxr_kw/T1GslfhkwxI/AAAAAAAAAo0/tPapQ-0v2Ag/s1600/Presentation2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CeB4hhxr_kw/T1GslfhkwxI/AAAAAAAAAo0/tPapQ-0v2Ag/s200/Presentation2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;As I plan my week, I use a form to pencil in tasks working around any scheduled events. You can grab the form I use by clicking on it below.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8eUKkOqLQcOblZqQmdpNDJRYmViNmFUc3BTUFQ5Zw" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--MEt3BmURok/T1Gu3kb8L_I/AAAAAAAAAo8/J7D83X6u20s/s200/Planner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My timer is a great motivator. I am a fan of <a href="http://www.flylady.com/" target="_blank">Fly Lady</a> and she points out that you can do almost anything for 15 minutes. Just working on those tasks 15 minutes at a time and then switching to something else really helps me avoid procrastinating.&nbsp;Plus, it always amazes me how much more I get done when I use the timer.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">My desktop organizer is called The Desk Apprentice Organizer and it is available from Staples.&nbsp;It rotates and holds a ton of stuff.&nbsp;I keep hanging files in it for each workday. Each day has files for each subject where I keep my daily copies. I also keep files for things I need to do right away, filler activities, things to copy, things to take to the office, etc. in it. It even holds my supplies. On the sides I keep my RTI files, my lesson plan book, receipt book, and behavior sheets. It keeps my desk clear.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Angela Watson from the Cornerstone has a great book that has a ton of information on classroom organization. Much of my folder organization was inspired by her book. I highly recommend it. <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fu2binfi-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=0982312709" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982312709/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=fu2binfi-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0982312709" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&amp;Format=_SL110_&amp;ASIN=0982312709&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;ID=AsinImage&amp;WS=1&amp;tag=fu2binfi-20&amp;ServiceVersion=20070822" width="146" /></a></div><br /></div>Now that I’ve shared my tips, I would love to hear yours. So, please join in the party and let’s see if we can help each other make time for life outside of work.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>If you have a blog, please join the party and link up. If you join up, please be sure to post to the specific post and link back to this post. Thanks! &nbsp;If &nbsp;you don't have a blog you can still join in the fun by commenting below.<br /><br /><div id="wpImg132706"><a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=132706"><img src="http://www.inlinkz.com/wpImg.php?id=132706" style="border: 0px;" /></a></div><script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=132706" type="text/javascript"></script><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/PUQLKasd4sA" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com5http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/03/making-time-for-life.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-69316409565047761982012-02-19T07:58:00.002-08:002012-03-13T17:26:14.749-07:00Picture Prompt Linky Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thediaryofanotsowimpyteacher.blogspot.com/2012/02/picture-prompt-linky-party.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcT0nrrd_Pg/T0EabIUPwVI/AAAAAAAAAl8/L6NoPLD7Ol0/s1600/Picture+Prompt+Linky+Party.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Lbq7qhIjmE/T0EacziOYgI/AAAAAAAAAmE/nwaabKK-Q94/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Lbq7qhIjmE/T0EacziOYgI/AAAAAAAAAmE/nwaabKK-Q94/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XT0OcmLaS4/T0Eadqlg9DI/AAAAAAAAAmM/p3o3ED5dwzM/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8XT0OcmLaS4/T0Eadqlg9DI/AAAAAAAAAmM/p3o3ED5dwzM/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There is an awesome linky party going on over at <a href="http://thediaryofanotsowimpyteacher.blogspot.com/2012/02/picture-prompt-linky-party.html" target="_blank">The Diary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher</a> and <a href="http://classroommagic.blogspot.com/2012/02/picture-writing-prompts.html" target="_blank">Classroom Magic</a>. It's all about picture prompts. Picture prompts are great for inspiring writing in our students, especially those that tend to struggle to come up with ideas. Click on the links to see all of the other blogs participating and to check out everyone's picture prompts. You can even link up if you would like to add your own prompts. Be sure to check out the <a href="http://pinterest.com/selsmith479/writing-picture-prompts/" target="_blank">collaborative board on Pinterest</a> to see everyone's prompts.<img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/-uZWSmFNNvs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com0http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/02/picture-prompt-linky-party.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2134834339536434821.post-37469237166092724622012-02-16T18:50:00.000-08:002012-03-13T17:26:34.364-07:00Persuasive Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Right now we are learning about persuasive writing my classroom. It is one of my favorite units. I love it and the kids always get into it too. Maybe that is because we always start with Oreo Cookies.<br /><br />You might be wondering what they have to do with persuasive writing. &nbsp;OREO is a mnemonic device. It helps the students remember the format for persuasive writing. O stands for opinion. R is for reason. E is for explanation and the final O stands for opinion again.<br /><br />When I introduce persuasive writing I show kids the pack of cookies and I give them two white circles stapled between 2 black circles. They decorate the front as an Oreo and then we go through each letter. The kids write the words opinion, reason, explanation, and opinion inside as we orally give examples. I model persuading the kids that Oreos are delicious and then I go around the room and ask them to give me their opinion about Oreos. They also must give me a reason and explanation. Once each student tells me what he or she thinks we all eat Oreos together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1O507v5tx0/Tz28kNoF_XI/AAAAAAAAAlw/epqy7ZbO9H0/s1600/3-16-11+240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1O507v5tx0/Tz28kNoF_XI/AAAAAAAAAlw/epqy7ZbO9H0/s320/3-16-11+240.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The next day we will write our first persuasive paragraph about Oreos. Here is an example of one of my students who liked Oreos. I have also had students write why Oreos were gross before too. They can pick either side as long as they can give me their opinion and a reason.<br /><br /><br /><img src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Fun2bInFirst/~4/XBRVSmvpHvQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>Grade School Giggleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03584429943839052906noreply@blogger.com3http://fun2binfirst.blogspot.com/2012/02/persuasive-writing.html